4 seek 3 commission seats in Anna Maria

Four Anna Maria residents qualified for the Nov. 8 election to fill the three city commission seats.

Joining incumbent Commissioners John Quam and Dale Woodland in the election race are former Mayor SueLynn and planning and zoning board member Nancy Yetter. Commissioner Gene Aubry did not seek a second term.

Early last week, it appeared there might be a crowded field for the election as nine qualifying packets had been distributed since qualifying began Aug. 15.

By the noon Aug. 26 qualifying deadline, however, only Quam, Woodland, SueLynn and Yetter had submitted the required paperwork.

Quam will be seeking his sixth consecutive term on the commission, while Woodland will look for his fifth straight term. SueLynn was mayor from 2002 to 2006, but has not previously sought a commission seat. Yetter was appointed to the P&Z board in June 2010 by former Mayor Fran Barford.

SueLynn said she is seeking a commission seat because she wants to help Anna Maria keep its identity.

“I am interested in a lot of things happening now, and some of them go back to when I was mayor. I am concerned we might be losing our character and I want to get involved to make sure that doesn’t happen. My experience will be a plus, and my learning curve short,” she said.

Woodland said he is running again to “preserve and protect what makes Anna Maria special — the things I’ve been fighting for since I was first elected.”

Quam said he wants to continue to maintain the status quo in the city.

“I just love this city and I want to do my part instead of just sitting on the sidelines and complaining about everything.”

Yetter said she wants to be part of the solution, not the problem.

“I bring a solid understanding of the building codes, land-development regulations, etc. and a strong commitment to keeping Anna Maria at the small town level we have all come to expect and enjoy.”

The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters will have a choice of three from the slate of four candidates running for a commission seat. The top three vote-getters will take office.

Anna Maria city commissioners are elected for two-year terms and receive $400 a month in compensation.

Voter registration

A spokesperson for the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office said anyone who has recently moved to Manatee County and has not registered to vote, or anyone who has not previously registered, has until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, to register for the Nov. 8 election.

Absentee ballots must be requested no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, to ensure the ballot is received in the mail. Ballots must be returned to the SOE office by Nov. 8.

Voter registration can be done at the SOE office, 600 U.S. 301 Boulevard, Suite 108, Bradenton, across from the DeSoto Mall. The SOE office is in the same complex as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office headquarters.

Voter registration packets also are available at The Islander Newspaper, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, at public libraries and at city hall.

For more information on registration or to obtain an absentee ballot, call 941-741-3823.